The Westerschouwen Forest is the largest in Zeeland and lies on the coast of Schouwen-Duiveland. It is set in an undulating landscape of dunes with sand hills, hollows and dunefields. The forest edges are teeming with birdlife and there is a rich diversity of trees and plants. This is one of the best places in Zeeland, extending for over 330 hectares, with plenty of recreational activities, including hiking, biking and horse-riding. For the most part, this beautiful nature reserve is open at all times to visitors. If you’d prefer a guided excursion you should report to the information point (Excursieschuur) on Kraaijensteinweg where staff will be only too pleased to help.

Over a hundred years ago, there was no woodland here at all. The Domaniale Duinen, as the area was known, was still a large expanse of windswept sand and dunes. Sheep and rabbits ate all the vegetation and without any plants, the sand would be allowed to drift. In around 1920, pine trees were planted and rows of withy screens erected along the first line of dunes. Marram grass thrives here, because it is able to embed its roots and stems firmly into the sandy soils.

In the meantime, Westerschouwen became ever more popular with nature lovers who expressed a desire for more trees. The Dutch forestry commission (Staatsbosbeheer), which has managed the reserve since the 1970s, agreed with their wishes and began planting deciduous trees, such as oak and birch, as well as white and balsam poplars. Slowly but surely, the forest has now turned into a mixed woodland, with deciduous trees having reached full maturity. New saplings have been given the time and space to grow and develop into mature trees. In the autumn the woods are full of mushrooms.

The forest reserve is likewise home to a diversity of bird species. In the taller, more mature pine trees you can see the nests of birds of prey, such as buzzards and goshawks. It’s also possible to find butterflies, rabbits and many other birds, such as pheasants. Roe and fallow deer and wild Shetland ponies roam the dunes here too.

Large expanses of the dunes remain unplanted, leaving scope for grasses and flowers to prosper, such as dune pansies, ragwort and stork’s-bills. For many years, this beautiful landscape has served as a ‘reservoir’ for drinking water. Initially groundwater was pumped to the surface, but the dunes slowly dried up and nature suffered as a result. It was then decided to pump water into the area from the Haringvliet lagoon and this still takes place today. The three large ponds in the reserve act as mini-reservoirs. It is a delight to see how nature holds sway here. Frequent visitors to these watering holes include dragonflies, seagulls, ducks, geese and grebes.

The Westerschouwen nature reserve, along with Meeuwenduinen, Verklikkerduinen and Vroongronden all form part of the peninsula on Schouen-Duiveland, known as the Kop van Schouwen. These nature reserves are protected by stringent statutory regulations. The whole of the Kop van Schouwen, with the exception of the beaches and the foredune, are covered by these special conservation measures. The information point (excursieschuur), where guided tours are available, can be found on the edge of the forest. Visitors can use this centre for more information on the area. It also puts on temporary exhibitions. The information point is open at weekends and in the school holidays from 1.30 pm to 4.30 pm.

Landscape type: Deciduous trees, pines, dune woodland
Facilities: information point, toilets, picnic area, play area, ATB route, bridleways, cycle routes, five waymarked hiking trails and a treasure hunt.